Rack for assorting mail



May 11 1926.

J. J. STENSGAARD RACK FOR ASSORTING MAIL Filed Nov. 1. 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q I Q H1 jienayaari.

gmmntoc May 11 1926.

J. J. STENSGAARD RACK FOR ASSORTING MAIL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 1. 1924 Patented May 11, 1926.

STATES ease PATENT OFFICE BACK FOB ASSORTING- MAIL.

Application filed November 1, 1924. Serial No. 747,283.

The object of this invention is the provision of means whereby to facilitate the assorting of mail so that delivery may be properly and expeditiously effected.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent and suggest themselves as the nature of the invention is understood.

While the drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that in adapting the same to meet different conditions and requirements, various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to'without departing from the nature of the invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification,

Figure 1 is a front view of a mail assorting rack embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a side View of the rack, the

20 dotted'lines showing the separator in rearward position,

Figure 3 is a rear view of the rack,

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4- 4 of Figure 1 looking upwardly as designated by the arrows,

Figure 5 is a horizontal section on line 55 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a detail vertical section,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View, and

Figure 8 is a tional view.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The numeral 10 denotes a floor plate from which projects a tubular standard 11 in which is adjustably fitted a stem 12 which is held in the required adjusted position by means of a binding screw 13. A frame 14 has the stem 12 attached thereto and is supported thereby and includes a shelf 15 which inclines upwardly and forwardly from the bottom. The frame 14 is of rectangular form and is open at the front and back. A plurality of rods 16 are disposed at the back of the frame in vertical and spaced relation and operate to strip the mail when assorted from the separator as the latter is moved rearwardly. Other sets of rods 17 are disposed transversely of the frame and serve to divide the same vertical into; sorting spaces as shown most clear yiii are 5; gruide 13 at tti the fragmentary horizontal secsides of the frame 14 adjacent the bottom thereof and project rearwardly and sup port a frame 19 which is movable towards and away from the frame 14, suitable means being provided whereby to effect such movement. In the preferred arrangement two sets of'lazy-tongs 20 are provided and form connecting means between the frames 14 and 19, the two sets of lazy-tongs being connected by means of bars 21, said bars being operable by means of a lever 22 which is pivoted at one end to one of the lazytongs and which is connected by means of a link 23 with the other set of lazy-tongs and in this manner both sets of lazy-tongs are uniformly operated to move the frame 19 uniformly whereby it maintains a parallel relation to the frame 14 at all stages of its movement towards and away from the frame 14. The frame 19 is provided with pairs of vertically disposed guide bars 24 which are attached at their ends to the upper and lower cross bars comprising the frame .19. A plurality of transverse bars 25 are mounted upon the vertically disposed guide bars 24 and are movable vertically, being attached to lazy-tongs 26 which are pivoted at their lower ends to the lower cross bar of the frame 19. Bars 27 connect the end or extreme lazy-tongs 26 and an operating lever 28 is pivoted at one end to one of the end lazy-tongs and a link 29 connects said lever with the other end or extreme lazy-tongs whereby to cause both lazy-tongs to move in unison. Fingers 30 project forwardly from the transverse bars 25 and are disposed horizontally and provide supporting means for the mail when assorted. Upper and lower toggle links 31 connect the frames 14 and 19 and the toggle links at each side are connected by means of a link 32 and in this manner the frame 19 is strengthened and braced at each stage of its adjustment when moved away from or towards the frame 14. The frame 19, transverse bars 25 and fingers 80 constitute a separator for receiving the mail when assorted, the several pieces being placed upon the respective assorting fingers 30 and in the s aces formed by the rods 17, it being unerstood that each space is differently designated to receive ina il fora particular location and after the mail. has been asserted the near 29 is operated to lower the trails terse are after the I22 its operated to move the frame 19 and fingers 3O rearvvardly so that the mail in the vertical spaces may drop and rest upon the bottom of the frame 14 from which it is re moved ready for delivery in the usual Way.

What is claimed is 1. In a rack of the character specified, a supporting frame, vertically disposed guide members, a plurality of transversely arranged article supports, and lazy-tongs connecting the article supports to effect simul taneous and proportionate movementthereof and maintain them in parallel relation at all stages of the movement.

2. In a rack of the character specified, a supporting frame, vertically disposed guide members, a plurality of transversely arranged article supports havina' elements disposed between and guided by said guide members, lazy-tongs connecting the article supports, and connecting means between sets of lazy-tongs to effect simultaneous adj s; ment of the lazy-tongs and the article supports connected thereby.

3. A rack of the character specified comprising an asserting frame, a movable frame adjustable forwardly and rearwardly, and transversely arranged coacting article supports mounted for vertical adjustment up- 011 the fori'ardly and rearwardly movable frame.

et. A rack of the character specified comprising a frame provided with rearwardly and transversely disposed sets of rods subdividing the frame into vertical spaces. a frame movable forwardly and iearwardly with respectto the first frame, transverse bars movable vertically on the forwardly and rearwardly movable frame, and huge. s p ojecting from said transverse bars and between said rods and adapted to form supporting means for the articles when a--:- sorted.

5. In a rack of the character specified. a main frame subdivided into vertical spares, a. forwardly and rearwardiy movable it'ranie, lazy-tongs connectin c the two trainee, guide bars on the forwardly and rearwardly inova ble frame, transverse bars mounted upon the guide bars, lazy-tongs connecting the transverse liars, lingers projecting! from the transverse bars, and upper and lower connected toggle links connecting the main frame and the forwardly and rearwardly movable frame.

In testimony whereof I atiix my signature.

JULIUS J. ST NSGAAR D. 

